World War II - Frostbite Issue #2

Agent Joe Hoskyn
CODENAME: FROSTBITE

Admin wrote:"you faced one Orcan. We are talking about hundreds! The power inside you... you may need to use it in order to win through!"

Joe thought about this for a long time. He knew, without the presence of his other self to tell him, what releasing the 'companion' would mean. Though he hadn't himself experienced it, at the same time he knew almost instinctively that it wouldn't be easy and would come at a price.

But then he had many times already made the choice to do whatever he could to face the tyranny of the Nazi's and now it seemed he needed to do that again here.

"Ok! I agree, it seems that we have a mutual cause that can we can both benefit from. You'd best tell me all you can about what we are heading into? And also give to my men whatever equipment they might need. I think..." And almost despite himself, Joe felt the deep satisfaction of his 'companion' stirring at the through of being released after such a time, "...I can take care of the rest."

OOC:
ok I want some tactical information about where we are heading, how we get there and what we are facing. Also I need to know if her renegade husband can and does use the stones himself? Also I want to know why he is a renegade (I am suspecting he has become either addicted to the stones or a pawn of the shadows etc).

Also with my men, I am thinking that I want to imbibe them with some of my power - if only so that they will not themselves get totally slaughtered by the Orcan's. Tough skin and strength for them all.

But I also need to know what that leaves me with as it may mean taking less of a team as a result or none at all. I would rather go in alone and be powerful enough to face what's there than run the risk of putting my men in needless danger.

After all if super powered as I am I couldn't face a single Orcan - what can they do. More than that I wouldn't want them to be captured and used to force my hand. So to that end I need to talk to my Shadow Companion to find out what and how and who and whatever of how to go about making this plan work, with or potentially without the men.

As for the images thing - it works intermittently so I am wondering if its to do with the forum or the hosting sites? I've started using Google chrome, because like you Firefox just seems slower and a bit more cumbersome than it once did.

Sj

Agent Joe Hoskyn
CODENAME: FROSTBITE

The Queen nods and smiles, visibly relaxing. "General" she orders, turning to an aide. The man looked to be in his 60s, but that didn't mean anything down here. Most of the people who lived in this incredible undersea world could be hundreds of years old for all Joe knew!

General Arrkus bowed to the queen and activated a lever on the wall which pulled a wall to the side and showed a tactical planning room. There a model/mock up of the city was a small dome and the sea bed was a landscape of hills, canyons, and a particularly forbidding looking trench.

"We are at a disadvantage in there" said the General. We can use ambient light, even from the surface, and our eyes adapt. Down there? There is none. We can only assume the occupants of the trench have developed a sonar sense, able to bounce sound from their surroundings to build up a detailed picture. Any light you emit will stand out in the stygian darkness. Also we have no idea of the creatures that may live in such a place. All we know is that everyone we sent down there returned dead, usually as drifting flotsam or in our fishermans nets. It is... a no go zone for our people, save the renegade former king."

He glanced at the Queen, and with a nod from her continued. "Drex Vorheese II was an accomplished General and warrior without peer amongst our people. he it was who showed us the Orcans could be beaten, and led the army to force back their barbarous horde. The Queen and he were married and ruled jointly for, in your time, what would be decades. They had several children, and all seemed well. Then people started to disappear. Criminals mostly, and they weren't missed, but eventually citizens began to notice friends, neighbours, relatives vanishing without trace. With the city on high alert it was the Queen herself who discovered the truth. The King had been using exhausted Sipstrassi, a thing unthinkable.. save that when fed by the life force of victims it became something else - a bloodstone! With that, his lust for power increased with his newly acquired magical abilities. When the Queen challenged him the King struck her. The guards sprung to their Queens defence, and he struck them down. He headed straight for the lair of the Orcans and became their leader, bringing their various tribes together. We can only guess at what they do in the trench. Mine is that they make weapons, ready to invade! We have only one real hope - that the Queen can harness the power of sipstrassi to reinforce our defences and soldiers with magical might. That is where you come in."

"The Queen has seen in you a power unlike any we have ever experienced. Are you some kind of... of god? I see from your face that it is not so, but the Queen has confirmed you are one of a handful of people on this planet with power beyond any we thought imaginable. We can only hope the others are on our side."

'There is a problem.' said the inner voice. 'The power resides within you, but you are not ready for it yet. I can... release it, and hope that you are able to contain it but the risk to your mortal form is immense! Joseph Rigdon, another voice inside you, was the chosen one to wield the power within. You are a shadow of his might and experience. Not a slight on you, for it will come in time, but do you see the problem? if you were to unleash the power within before you are ready, you, Joseph Hoskyn, would most likely be destroyed. Joseph Rigdon and myself would survive, albeit in another host form and we would be at square one again. I speak in these terms with aid from Rigdon in order that you may understand. You may use the power, but you might not survive. Worse... you might destroy not only this city, but boil the oceans around you! There is no way to know... but Rigdon has faith in you, and so do I. Call on the power as you will. Know the price to pay though...Whether you use the power on your own or imbue your men makes no difference. You have been chosen to wield ultimate power, but it comes with a price, and to rush things...' The voice trailed off. Joe had the distinct, strange impression that two people were actually speaking, one chiming in and finishing anothers sentence! What exactly was going on inside him?

The Queen gaped. She recovered her composure and glanced at the Sceptre she held. "You spoke with ... something. Something more powerful than imagination! You are the key I think to our salvation! Do this, and you can name your price! My hand in marriage... or my daughters, to rule with us over the ocean depths, ushering in a new age of peace and prosperity for my people!"

"Your majesty!" gasped an aide. "You cannot... must not!" said another. The Queen waved away those and more objections! "My duty as Queen is to put personal considerations aside and save my people. If this mortal unleashes and controls the power within, our peoples futures are assured, possibly as the most powerful race on this or any other planet!"

The Generals face darkened, but he held his tongue. "Your men shall be equipped with weapons, armour, an escort of my finest troops and a squadron of trained Dolphins. They will aid you in many ways, and are highly intelligent, no mere animal. You will take with you the hopes, fears and futures of our people too. Make no mistake. If you fail, we have no choice but to stand and hold off the Orcans whilst the citizens flee. Our army will be ready to stand and die. We do not fear death, but we know too that each Orcan is worth squads of our men, and there are hundreds of the damned things!"

OOC So, no real pressure then!

Agent Joe Hoskyn
CODENAME: FROSTBITE

Admin wrote:'There is a problem.. You have been chosen to wield ultimate power, but it comes with a price, and to rush things...'

"No one can live forever..." Joe said to himself. If he had to expose himself to more risk than was good for him then so be it. He didn't want to, but neither did he like the idea of this attack on the Atlantean people.

Admin wrote:You are the key I think to our salvation! Do this, and you can name your price!

"Your majesty is very kind, and very fair. But I am not royalty and would seek no other gain than our forces might work to stem the tide of darkness that clearly threatens us all, in its many guises."

Joe paused, he wasn't sure if it was in his best interests to have the men come along, clearly using his powers beyond himself wasn't very wise and may end up being futile anyway. He had been given this power, and it not only rested with him it was his responsibility alone. However should he fail...would it be better to have some of his men with him?

Joe made his mind up, "I''l not take all the men, some..." at this point Joe paused, knowing that some of his men had been exposed to significant amounts of stress, this wasn't what they'd signed on for. "I'll take only some of my men, but in the event that I fail, I want you to promise you'll release them unharmed to the surface at a destination of their choosing. You'll gain nothing from keeping them and my superiors need to know what has happened to me. Agreed?"

OOC:

Assuming that is all, I'll pick two others of my best men, and get ready to go.

I will not imbibe them with power nor myself, no point in announcing ourselves, nonetheless I will ask the Shadow Prince to be ready, when the time comes.

I will ask when the optimum time is and then go from there.

Sj

Agent Joe Hoskyn
CODENAME: FROSTBITE

General Arrkus nodded to Joe. "You are a brave man. We will do our part. We will give you weapons, armour, and an escort to the trench. Our army and citizens will mobilise. We stand here. There will be no retreat!"

With a bow to the Queen Joe and the aides left the throne room and were led to where his men were being held, still in cells. They were all freed, and an argument ensued about accompanying Joe, about the suicide mission he was undertaking and finally, who should go with him. Sergeant Al Thompson and Corporal Bert Melland were chosen finally, with the rest inducted to the defence of the city, albeit reluctantly. They'd been given the choice on whether to become guests of the city and had to a man declined, preferring to fight.

As they were led to their posts Joe glanced through the door of another cell. Inside, held captive in a large sphere of air, seemingly, a woman sat. She was fully clothed, battered and bruised, and sat sullenly against a wall.



She looked up as she noticed Joe at the door and spoke in German, then English. "You are... outlander? Like us? Apparently you have made a better impression than we did!" she laughed. "Tell me, American, who are you, and what do you here, in this amazing place?"

Clearly she was one of the Nazis taken prisoner when the submarine was attacked. From the impression Joe got, another must be in one of the cells around here but he'd not seen another as yet. The air bubble was an incredible prison. If the prisoner moved too far from a hole in the floor the air bubble would separate and the prisoner drown, or be instantly crushed in the ocean depth!

OOC If Joe wishes, he can speak to the woman or he can continue with his men to the trench. The weapons are tridents, nothing fancy, and spear guns. The armour is crafted from coral, enough to turn sharp weapons but a sufficient bludgeoning force would shatter it. However, it is sharp and anyone attacking with bare hands will be injured should they touch it!

Agent Joe Hoskyn
CODENAME: FROSTBITE

Admin wrote: "You are... outlander? Like us? Apparently you have made a better impression than we did!" she laughed. "Tell me, American, who are you, and what do you here, in this amazing place?"!

Joe stopped and turned to the woman, always grateful for any chance to get further information, it was a war after all. Resisting the urge to gloat, Joe was conciliatory toward the woman. "Well apparently you get it laid on thick if you're willing to take on a suicide mission - I cut put a word in for you if we fail? Anyway what brings a girl like you down here?"

OOC:
Joe will be conversational, even a bit flirty if need be. But his aim is to find out more and see if this woman has information that might even help. He doesn't trust her, after all her loyalties would be with the Furher and if they weren't he'd have to wonder if she could be trusted in any case.

But whilst they are talking he is willing to help if he can, if only to get her to a POW camp after this is all over. Let it be the Allies problem rather than the Atlantean's.

Sj

Agent Joe Hoskyn
CODENAME: FROSTBITE

She shrugged, looking about at the bubble around her. "Ingenious." She smiled and stood, and the bubble moved to keep the same area around her. It stopped short of moving beyond a foot though, and she came dangerously close to the edge before shying back. With a grin she turned to Frostbite. "I was a scientist. Medical research. The serum... I objected to its use, told them it needed testing. There were so many... monsters. They..." She smiled. "Purged them. They wanted to continue the empowerment, despite the risks. I suggested they stop, then they laughed at me and my fellow scientists. We were next."

She held up a hand. Frostbite saw her turn it slowly, and noted the way the light twinkled through its crystalline structure. He glanced at the woman and saw a crystal teardrop drop through the bubble and drift to the floor to clatter there.

"The change comes and goes. I refract sunlight, change it into a form of rainbow energy. It has different effects. It can burn... bend light ... heal wounds... They sent me as back up to the other prisoner. I was to heal his wounds in battle, make him invincible. Without sunlight?" she smiled, holding her hand up again and looking through it. "I'm useless, save as something to put in the path of bullets."

She grinned, wiping another tear away, and changed back to human form. The change seemed random. "Too useless for a codename and backup. My fellow scientists, a dozen of them... they were branded freakish, and destroyed."

"So. What's your story? How did you get your powers? Is America somehow able to make their own superhumans? Before you follow the same path as the Nazis, and make monsters from normal, innocent people, I beseech you... stop!"

She sniffed, wiped her nose. "I am Marlene Hoffensharp. Beware of the other Nazi. His codename is Generalvollmacht... General Power!"

Agent Joe Hoskyn
CODENAME: FROSTBITE

Admin wrote:"So. What's your story? How did you get your powers? Is America somehow able to make their own superhumans? Before you follow the same path as the Nazis, and make monsters from normal, innocent people, I beseech you... stop!"

"I'm sorry to hear you story, it seems your leaders are willing to sacrifice pretty much anyone and anything in the pursuit of their goals." Joe felt sorry for the lady, but at the same time knew he had no reason to trust her. Images flashed through his mind of a possible future where all people were under the Germanic heel and it was even more brutally oppressive. But his mind flashed back to the present, he gave a curious look at at her. For all he knew she could be a spy, rooting for information.

Brushing it aside he thought it wouldn't hurt to give some false intelligence, "Yeah America has been on the same path for sometime. Intelligence and alien technology, if you can believe it. Its given them an edge they are counting on if hey dragged into this war. Shame we ended up here, but turns out we were in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Admin wrote:She sniffed, wiped her nose. "I am Marlene Hoffensharp. Beware of the other Nazi. His codename is Generalvollmacht... General Power!"

"You guys with your names..." Joe laughed but it was a hollow laugh considering his own code name he'd just been using. "Well I wish we could help you, but where we're going, is the very opposite of where you'd shine."

OOC: Note sure if this is someone I am supposed to be thinking of taking along with me, or this is some potential subplot for later? But so far I'm thinking there is no way I'd risk taking her - as her powers, such as they are don't seem to be helpful in a deep dark trench. But also why would I trust her and also why would I put a woman at risk? Not very chivalrous, for the time period!

Sorry mate, note sure what I'm supposed to do here, but I see no reason for Joe to say goodbye and move on.

Although I like the idea of her being a healer, how much healing can she do if she can't recharge?

Sj

Agent Joe Hoskyn
CODENAME: FROSTBITE

OOC No problem with what you want to do (or otherwise) with NPCs, just another option, and yeah, you figured the fact she'd be little use in the trench if all she can do is convert light. I like to drop in new names and faces so I can build up a picture of the characters world, rather than saying 'a Nazi metahuman in the cell sneers at you and says something about crushing you all. You move on'. Whether my approach is successful or not... well, certainly not all the time I know that

The Nazi metahuman looked shocked at the report Frostbite gave and shook her head. "Where will it end? This escalation of power... man was never meant to..." she recovered herself and nodded. "Good luck to you. I feel our hosts will never let us leave this place alive for fear of retribution, and they'd be right. Germany and American are not at war, so you are not my enemy." She laughed, a hollow sound. "I have all the enemies I need in the people I work for." She moved over to sit by the wall in silence and lay back. Without an energy source to draw off and convert, her power was useless. She was trapped here, a prisoner.

=========

Frostbite walked out of the Jail building and through the city...

Word had spread, and ordinary citizens came to look upon the foolish hero that would risk a horrible death by taking on the Orcans! Most seemed to have accepted their fate, and gathered weapons, though many were leaving, swimming out of the city whilst trailing underwater rafts crammed with belongings. Where they would go without the protection of the city was unclear, but they figured the city was doomed, so better not be there than die an inevitable death!

Thompson and Melland turned up with coral armour on and gladiator style helmets. "I feel like an idiot..." said Melland. "But better this that trying to stop those Orcans teeth with my skin!" Thompson chuckled and hefted a spear gun. "Fires half a dozen spears at once!" he said, referring to the circular gatling type barrel. "but I'm told the accuracy is all over the place when it does that, and you'd be lucky to hit with more than one or two spears. Brought spares, 18 shots in all, for each of us. You want anything skipper? It's all pretty olde worlde as you'd expect but down here it's better than gunpowder!"

General Arrkus came over with a number of his men. All were girded in full war garb. "Here." he said. "Be careful with these!" He handed over a pouch with balls of tightly wound seaweed in! "Throw one of those and it will think its feeding time. Chokes the water in a radius of 3 radors (metres) with strangling seaweed. A good shot might choke an Orcan. A bad one should slow one down." he glanced at the two with Joe. "A terrible shot would be a waste. There are half a dozen in there. The rest we keep for defence of the city and the Queen. She's insisted on fighting on the walls and I've seen her fight, so won't dissuade her. Good luck." he said, shaking hands with Joe and his men. "May Neptune watch over you."

A small group of guards marched up, floating in the water. A school of sleek, fast dolphins also swum up. They had what looked like green oyster shells tied with strong weed onto their backs.

"Intelligent. They swim faster than you, so in a pinch can get you out of there if things go badly. If it all goes bad... get out. We have a back up plan but it will require a full scale assault on the city first!" said Arrkus, turning to face the city he was charged with protecting. "This is the end of things. Atlantis sunk ages ago. We adapted. Now surface dwellers come amongst us and know of us. Our time is done. They will never leave us alone, unless the Queen can... I prattle like an ancient. Good luck." He turned and swam away.

OOC If Joe wants anything (within reason) he can have it, otherwise I'll assume everyone gets two seaweed bombs each and move you to the trench...

Agent Joe Hoskyn
CODENAME: FROSTBITE

Admin wrote:Atlantis sunk ages ago. We adapted. Now surface dwellers come amongst us and know of us. Our time is done. They will never leave us alone, unless the Queen can... I prattle like an ancient. Good luck." He turned and swam away.

Joe nodded to the grizzled General and looked him full in the eye, his penetrating stare holding even him in its wake, "Yes times are changing for all of us, but as you have adapted you can yet adapt again. We're here as living proof, that not all surface dwellers are your enemies!" Joe nodded and just as he was about to leave, "The lady, the German prisoner, she might also be a friend - time will tell. But bear it in mind we look the same but a 'you can only tell the health of a tree, by its fruit.'" He looked suddenly a little embarrassed before nodding and moving away to join his men.

OOC

Ok I think there is little more we could ask for as they clearly are under resourced to cope with this as much as they would wish to.

So lets get it on, I think in the end that this is going to come down to raw power, the problem is going to be at what point do I let that out and as a consequence will my outer frame be a withered away in the ensuing battle when this is done? If that is the cost I must pay so be it, but its hard when you know you are needed in so many other places. This is one battle and there is yet a war to win!

Sj

Agent Joe Hoskyn
CODENAME: FROSTBITE

The group continued through the dark waters, the lights of Atlantis fading into the background. Soon light was supplied only by small lanterns held by the Atlantean soldiers, glowing coral within sending eerie blue light out into the darkness.

Melland shivered. "You're not in Kansas any more, yank." he muttered. Thompson replied "Eh?" Melland turned. "Haven't you see it yet? I went to see it while we were in Washington. Wizard of Oz? The kids back home will ... love it..." His voice trailed off. There was a good chance it would never be shown in Britain. With a sigh he continued.

The group continued to descend.

From the walls of the city the Queen and her aides watched the twinkling blue lights steadily diminish. When finally they winked from view she sighed. "Prepare for an all out attack." and strode from the walls to prepare for battle.

==========

An hour later...

The only sound was that of water sploshing as the clumsy surface dwellers chopped through the water. All the native water breathers sliced through it with speed and finesse, their natural environment.

One of the Atlanteans turned to Joe. "We will be leaving a marker for the way out. Follow them or you may be lost forever in the stygian blackness of the trench. Your tablets will run out and you will die, so it's imperative that you heed my words."

Thompson turned. "Eh? What do you mean? We're in the trench aren't we? This place, it's...oh." He stopped as he saw the others give pause. They stood on the edge of a cliff. Beyond that... impenetrable oblivion of darkness! "Even down there, there is oxygen. It comes from strange plants. The few survivors that went in and came out claim it is an impossible thing that grows without light and in pressures that crush your surface metals. We do not know how it grows. It's... a kind of magic?"

Melland and Thompson turned to Joe. "Hope this is worth it boss..."

=========

The group drifted steadily down...

"The coral lanterns are the key. The light shines brightest in the direction of the Sipstrassi stone. As you can see, it shines brightest in no direction right now. We have a long way to..." said one of the soldiers. "Look out!"

From out of the darkness, huge shapes shot upwards! The dolphins dispersed, whilst the soldiers gathered weapons! This was it!

Joe looked about. What had they seen? No... felt!

<<The Atlanteans have some kind of sonar sense. Remarkable, but leaving them vulnerable to attack through it, in this units opinion. If there is a way of exploiting it in your enemies, it should be done. The Orcans are physically more powerful than you.>>

"Three Orcans!" shouted an Atlantean soldier. The twelve of them readied weapons, whilst Thompson and Melland looked blindly out into the darkness. Aside from tiny krill and shrimp like creatures, there was nothing to see... Then there was! A huge shape, thundering out of the darkness right at the group!

OOC Joe has a number of options. Fighting is one. There's no specific direction he can go for cover - it's a valley, and what he wants is below him somewhere. If you go for the fight, Initiative is... 3 good guys, 8 bad guys. They use all of their 3 frames charging at the group and have one frame apiece after the Atlanteans act, when they will be in melee range. You therefore have the opportunity of attacking at range as they close.

Agent Joe Hoskyn
CODENAME: FROSTBITE

Admin wrote:Melland and Thompson turned to Joe. "Hope this is worth it boss..."

Joe had to agree, this wasn't what he was expecting to happen.

The group drifted steadily down...

<<The Atlanteans have some kind of sonar sense. Remarkable, but leaving them vulnerable to attack through it, in this units opinion. If there is a way of exploiting it in your enemies, it should be done. The Orcans are physically more powerful than you.>>

"Quick, computer!" Joe said within himself even as he felt the pressure shift around him. "How can we confuse the radar? Is there some way we can use our existing abilities?" Joe hoped it might be so, as he dreaded tapping into the his Shadow companions help too soon.

"Three Orcans!" shouted an Atlantean soldier.

OOC: Joe has a number of options. Fighting is one. You therefore have the opportunity of attacking at range as they close.

"Quick Atlantean's", Joe said, "if you can choke them using the seaweed pellets we were given, do so!"

Joe was aware that unlike his team, the Atlanteans had a distinct advantage over him and his men as they could 'see' in this darkness. He yet hoped his computer might be able to devise a counter measure, but at this rate they were going to run out of materials too quickly to stop before they got any deeper.

Darker still, seemed the path down which Joe had to go, than even the Stygian depths around him. Would this be so much easier if he made a huge diversion, go in 'all guns blazing' so that the men and the Atlanteans could get in to get the stones and out again?

As he stood there facing the creatures before him, he had to think what would be the best way forward, how could they possible hope to face an army, when they were floundering to fight three of these huge creatures?

OOC:
I did think that I would ask one of the Atlanteans, to come alongside, so they could in effect steer and aim and I'd just fire - my energy attack at the creatures. As another distinct possibility - especially if the pellets miss. IN fact why don't we have the Atlantean's use their pellets and I'll use my energy attack, hoping that the creatures attack with their mouth's open. Since that is got to be one of their major weapons here. I'm not entirely sure what you'd roll in such an attack - as it would be them aiming me as the creatures approached? But if we can go for it lets give a blast of 6 dice, 4/2 split.

Ok I am aware I'm holding a loaded grenade in the form of the dark power, but I had hoped that Joe might come out of this alive. I guess that may yet be a possibility but it looks like its fading faster. But if things go badly I need to pull the pin and go Dark power I will - but in a controlled fashion as before. NO point in trying to do this if I find I wipe out all life for miles around.

Before we get to choked up, however, if there is something we already possess that can be used to effect the sonar or the Orca's then so be it, but if not, I'll see how the others get on before letting loose my attack.

Sj

Agent Joe Hoskyn
CODENAME: FROSTBITE

<<Sonar works by bouncing sound from objects. If your men were to extinguish the light the attackers would rely on that alone. If you confused that sense with application of your cold emitting powers, perhaps by making a block of ice and then breaking it up, or discharging your power by spreading your hands out wide from side to side, to fire out to the sides and increase its area. Salt will melt your ice and break it into smaller pieces, helping. The key is distraction. Once these creatures have trouble discerning between yourselves and the decoys you place in the water, you may not have to fight at all...>>

The Atlanteans, as ordered, pulled a seaweed pellet each. With a barked order half of them put theirs away, knowing they would be needed in the coming minutes and hours.

As the first orcan arrived at the scene it was Melland who saw it, and threw, first...

OOC Soild hit, total roll of 22...

THWOOSH! By the light of the blue lanterns Frostbite saw the first Orcan swim at high speed into the exploding seaweed grenade! The effect was dramatic, the green tendrils exploding outwards instantly and tightening around the creature that sped towards them. With its mouth open to strike it thrashed about, feeling the tendrils forge their way deep inside the creature, causing it to thrash about. Too dangerous to approach hand to hand, the Atlanteans set to with spear guns, firing into the thing, though in truth its thick hide would have been proof against even firearms!

The other two would soon be on the group... Frostbite had options, as his men and the Atlanteans stabbed at the Orcan, wrapped as it was in the weed. Joe saw a dark shape loom out of the darkness, speeding towards him... Thompson and three Atlanteans gathered near him, ready to act on his orders. Just one of these creatures had battered him senseless... it was like facing an army all on its own!

'So are you. There are dangers, but a middle ground may yet be found. I am considering a way in which power may be applied to your frail mortal form sparingly. Until it is used, the results will be unknown...' said the inner voice...

OOC Rather than apply your ice power I figured you may want to try the dark power, or a grenade, or attack by other means (weapons, super strength) or try the distraction tactic. Update later today...

Agent Joe Hoskyn
CODENAME: FROSTBITE

Admin wrote:'So are you. There are dangers, but a middle ground may yet be found. I am considering a way in which power may be applied to your frail mortal form sparingly. Until it is used, the results will be unknown...' said the inner voice...

"Tell me more? I'm open to suggestions or else this body won't be housing either of us much longer, if things get any worse."


OOC:
I love the confound the sonar idea, the only problem I have is that these Orcan's could go raise the alarm and or will still be looking for us, what are the chances of us slipping away?

I don't mind tackling one of them, head on, I just know that treading blows will only increase the likelihood of being discovered.

So if the my Shadow Companion can tell me another way - so be it. Otherwise I guess I'm up in their face with hand to hand and ice storms otherwise and hope for the best.

Sj

Agent Joe Hoskyn
CODENAME: FROSTBITE

As Joe wrestled with his conscience and the inner voice, the entangled Orcan swum headlong into the pack of Atlanteans at a terrifying pace! Faster outright than just about any other sea mammal, the Orcans were Killer Whales, amplified! Such creatures were the apex predators of the ocean, even hunting sharks! As such when it struck those Atlanteans too slow or fearless to move from its path, there were notable THUDS! in the water and broken bodies fell away. The remainder of the Atlanteans set about their prey with a vengeance, but it took all of them to even hamper its efforts to break free of the weed, which would in any case not hold the thing long!

Melland swam over to Joe. By the light of the blue lantern his fear was apparent. "Boss!" he hissed. "These things... they are like tanks! And we're attacking them with spears? Even with your power... we're doomed!"

By no means a coward, Melland had seen the powerful near superhuman Atlanteans scattered like skittles, and it had unnerved the man. Suddenly the safest place to be was out of the water!

And two more were on their way...

'I may be able to protect you, but everything in the immediate area will be subject to the power that flows from me, to you mortal.' said the inner voice. 'The price may be more than you could bear, but there is no easy way of doing this... to give you some idea... It would be like using 10 buckets of water to wash a fresh drop of blood away!'

The voice paused, then added 'The more you use the power, the greater the understanding between us over how you can manipulate it, both in power and effect. Without trying though... you will never know!'

OOC Choice is yours. Use the inner power, and the risks it brings, or try with the stones/spear level attack against tank equivalents. For sure you might bring one down - Frostbite is no pushover, but the others would have to keep the remainder of the Orcans busy...

Agent Joe Hoskyn
CODENAME: FROSTBITE

Admin wrote:The voice paused, then added 'The more you use the power, the greater the understanding between us over how you can manipulate it, both in power and effect. Without trying though... you will never know!'

Joe felt he had no choice, if faced with a tank, you don't use sticks!

"Quick," He shouted to the others, ""Disperse, immediately...!" He didn't wait to see if they'd follow, for he knew within him that deep certainty that as he began to effect the change that he knew was inevitable from the moment he accepted this mission, they'd see why he'd warned them. He only hoped that he could control things to the degree where he could focus on the Orcans and not his allies.

OOC:
Frostbite/Joe will attempt to control the release of the power, as he moves forward to put himself in the path of the oncoming Orcan's so that the change, and the power will effectively tackle my enemies and spare my friends/allies.

Ok I think that unless there are any updates between now and early tomorrow this will be my last post probably till Saturday. Hope your hands continue to improve Paul.

Sj

Agent Joe Hoskyn
CODENAME: FROSTBITE

OOC have a good holiday mate

Frostbite shouted the words then wondered how the power would manifest from within...



The sound wave that emitted from Frostbite, quite literally, stunned the Orcans into submission! They, and the Atlanteans, and Joes own men, started to drift down, stunned, towards the depths of the trench. Because of the way the sound travelled, out rather than up and down, there was a limited effect within the vast trench, but they would have felt it!

In the Atlantean city the inhabitants were brought to their knees, save the Queen, who glanced at her glowing sceptre! She helped those around her with a touch, all the while seeing the coral diminish in power! Weaker buildings started to crumble, whilst schools of fish drifted to the sea bottom, stunned or deafened!

100 miles away fishermen cried out as a huge wave splashed over the side of the boat!

150 miles away a Nazi U boat shook as the shock wave bounced off its sides! The terrified sailors saw rivets pop loose, and water spray in from the ocean whilst a frantic Captain ordered the craft to break off from hunting a merchantman and surface immediately!

Frostbite heard distant rumbles as undersea mountains shifted, and the landscape of the ocean floor changed for miles around, flattening!

'It's possible that the next time you call on the power, there may be a chance to diminish it...' said the inner voice.

The computer stayed silent, trying to calculate the magnitude of the force and its effects on the ocean environment. It failed!

OOC That just cost Frostbite 10htk and 12htc, but you took out the three Orcans (all are Stunned, effect wise, though only for a time. Their Htc/Htk values will have been affected as well) but your own men are also stunned. So, a good chance Frostbite will be on his own unless he wants to wait for everyone to recover!

Agent Joe Hoskyn
CODENAME: FROSTBITE

OOC That just cost Frostbite 10htk and 12htc, but you took out the three Orcans (all are Stunned, effect wise, though only for a time. Their Htc/Htk values will have been affected as well) but your own men are also stunned. So, a good chance Frostbite will be on his own unless he wants to wait for everyone to recover!

Joe shook himself, he was almost as stunned as everyone else. "You must be great to have around at parties." He said to his Shadow Companion, aware that the humour made light of the incredible power he'd just been party to, but shook him looks of his shock.

Quickly swimming to the others, Joe spoke only briefly, "I've got to go on alone, I want you to take my men, defend the city, I can do this but with this level of power you are in more danger from me cutting loose than them.

With that, Joe swam deeper into the trench, aware that he was going blind, but also aware he wanted to put distance between him and his men, before releasing the power once again. The clock was ticking and he wanted to make sure he placed himself where he could do the most good. If he couldn't get the stones maybe he could humble the Orcan's and stop the renegade king, and leave the Atlanteans to defend the seas. He felt he could trust the Queen if he did his part.

OOC:

Ok this is it, go on alone, hoping that the Stunned Orcans follow me, rather than the men, after all I am heading into their camp. Lets see how much the shadows darken down here?

OOC have a good holiday mate

Thanks, hope to be back online soon. Don't go anywhere without me ;-).

Sj

Agent Joe Hoskyn
CODENAME: FROSTBITE

'Parties? Thousands of sub-demons died as entertainment for our parties. Great times, now gone.' replied the dark voice within. When Joe swam to the others they were lying dazed, clutching their heads and staring wildly about. It was clear they'd been deafened, and his words spilled forth unheeded!

The Orcans were lying in a similar state. For creatures who relied on sound, like the Atlanteans, their dolphins and the Orcans, the energy wave had been devastating! For others, like Joes men, the sound had shaken them to their core and deafened them. Whilst they'd recover, it would not be an experience they wanted repeating! The good part was that the senses affected by the first shock wave would have dulled them to subsequent ones unless the victim had made a full recovery.

Joe sped off into the darkness, the light from his chestplate revealing nothing. Even the tiny creatures that flitted about had been either killed or disabled in some way.... Down, through the gloom and silence, he swum until he saw faint light below! He must have been swimming, and at speeds an Olympic Swimmer couldn't match, for minutes. Even with the pills effects still strong inside he felt the pressure of the water above him, and wondered if his mend would in fact have survived!

He slowed, looking down at what appeared to be a large shelf on one vast wall of the trench. There, a curious green glow from an algae light up the trench and Joe could see a number - more than a dozen - of the Orcans floundering, clutching their heads! Then he noticed the caves in the trench sides, large round holes cut by hands that could shape steel! It was more like some kind of tribal gathering, and he expected to find order, some form of civilisation... but the Orcans were different from the Killer Whales they'd derived from because they were brutes, not intelligent pack hunting predators. The trench continued into the ocean depths far below the shelf. Would he find what he was looking for on the shelf or in the caves or would he have to continue into the ocean depths?

OOC The Orcans are dazed, at least. Frostbites energy wave was supremely powerful. When he uses the Dark power inside he is a number of rungs up the metahuman power classification ladder after all... Will they come to soon? Will the Sipstrassi been found int he caves or amongst the algae? Will the Orcans come to and attack and will Frostbite have to continue swimming down, and hope these things don't come after him?

Agent Joe Hoskyn
CODENAME: FROSTBITE

OOC: I'm back - had a great time, but good to be back home now. Hope you're hands are making some kind of decent recovery Paul!

Admin wrote:
OOC The Orcans are dazed, at least. Frostbites energy wave was supremely powerful. When he uses the Dark power inside he is a number of rungs up the metahuman power classification ladder after all... Will they come to soon? Will the Sipstrassi been found int he caves or amongst the algae? Will the Orcans come to and attack and will Frostbite have to continue swimming down, and hope these things don't come after him?[/i]

"Computer." Joe addressed his onbuilt companion, "Speculate where are the stones we are seeking most likely to be found?"

Joe was no fool, he knew from his farm days that the mines there abouts his place, often had holes which where the remains of exploratory digs. He suspected that if there was Stripstrassi stones to be found - they'd been more than likely been found in those caves and little of any remained. But still he couldn't be absolutely certain and didn't want to rule anything out.

OOC:
Ok depending on what the computer says I will go into the caves if necessary, but am concerned about being trapped in them. I will go for the ones that look largest, as that gives me the likelihood of more space to manoeuvre should I get trapped or find other defenders/defences here.

Sj

Agent Joe Hoskyn
CODENAME: FROSTBITE

OOC Good to have you back! Glad you had a good time Hands are recovering slowly, but having had so many blisters covering them I lost a lot of skin when they broke, and the new stuff is susceptible to splitting. I'm sure you've had plenty of blisters before, now multiply that by 50 or so across your palms and each finger, and you've got an idea how raw my hands look. If I grip anything too hard a split opens, like a paper cut. Nonetheless, have had 2 weeks off work now and getting a bit fed up with having no hands to do anything with, so will resume work on Tuesday, when my sick note runs out. That said, I'm off for a week from Wednesday

<<Scanning. Insufficient data. Suggest interrogation of Orcan subject. Supposition: The Orcans are primitive, brutal creatures who value strength and will probably follow whomever is strongest. It stands to reason that their leader, an Atlantean, must have found some way to defeat the previous leader and cause others to follow him. Therefore it may be of benefit to demonstrate your strength and power to a dominant alpha male Orcan and earn the right to challenge their leader! They will defend their leader if they follow the norms of basic civilisation, but if you have proven you have the strength and will to usurp their present leader and can gain enough of a following to support a challenge, you may be able to achieve your aims without 'going to war'. Besides that, you could simply ask the Orcans where they keep their sipstrassi.>>

Frostbite looked through the cold and darkness of the water... Down here his sonic 'ping' would have been somewhat reduced in intensity but still had a mighty effect. However he could now see a number of the biggest brutes rising. It stood to reason that a leader would keep their source of power jealously close to them, so it wasn't likely a set of admittedly powerful 'dumb brutes' would have been set to guard it. He looked down at the chasm. The likely option was the depths of the ocean. He wondered if his skin and the pill he'd taken would protect him from those crushing depths, but considered that at the depth he was at, a submarine would have folded in like an eggshell already!

The Orcans were definitely rising.. half a dozen were on their way!

OOC And they'll be there in two rounds....

Agent Joe Hoskyn
CODENAME: FROSTBITE

Admin wrote:OOC Hands are recovering slowly...

Hmm, I guess any progress is something worth noting. I hope the day at work doesn't make things any worse.
===============

Admin wrote:<<Scanning. Insufficient data. Suggest interrogation of Orcan subject. Supposition: The Orcans are primitive, brutal creatures who value strength and will probably follow whomever is strongest...you may be able to achieve your aims without 'going to war'>>

Joe nodded to himself as he absorbed the facts as they stood. "In for a penny..." He said repeating a maxim he'd heard one of his men use before hand. Then he swam on into the depths, all the while holding a conversation with his Shadow Companion.

"I cannot take on these Orcan's with my strength as it stands, but together we can show them strength that should change the pecking order, perhaps even get them on our side." Joe said, feeling somewhat more self conscious. This was probably turning out to be the longest conversation he'd had, with the shadow being. Was it a sign that he was growing more familiar with the creature's presence?

In any case he knew that the time of testing was at hand.

OOC:

Ok I am trying to plunge deeper into the heart of the abyss, seeking to challenge the king! Or the Alpha Make who wants to take me on. Since, not unlike the Atlantean's they measure things by strength, I will keep the others at bay, with another sonic boom if need be, don't want to get caught in side skirmishers that will just wear me down for the main fight.

I'm happy to use all the usual trash talk, to get the king or the top dog out to face me. As long as it has the desired effect.

Sj

Agent Joe Hoskyn
CODENAME: FROSTBITE

The Orcans closed in and quickly surrounded Frostbite. Oddly, the inner voice had not responded to his request!

As he pondered on that, a brute of an Orcan, several tons in weight, rose up in front of Frostbite. The thing was immense! He was wondering how on earth he was going to manage to beat this thing when it spoke. "You be next food for tribe!" and the others laughed, bubbles rising from their mouths!

'I hope that creature has a cure for indigestion then' said the inner voice, finally, giving Frostbite the chance to sigh with relief! 'Without bursting your heart, there is no easy way to increase access to the power I can provide. That said, if you use your powers as you normally would, I will attempt to.. enhance them...'

That didn't sound at all convincing!

<<The creature you face has a body mass density suggesting it possesses a greater degree of superhuman strength and durability than you do! If you are determined to face it, you should seek cover and attack from afar...>>

Frostbite looked around. The darkness of the ocean depths greeted him.

<<In hindsight this was not a great mission to take on.>> advised the computer. <<Nonetheless, this creature breathes air, albeit through stronger more highly specialised lungs. Perhaps some form of attack to block its gills may slow it down?>>

"LET'S GET..."

"Wait!" said Frostbite. "I challenge YOU!" he bellowed, hoping his voice would carry in the water, whilst pointing at the huge Orcan in front of him. "And if I win, you take me to your leader, whom I will also challenge!"

The Orcans gaped and glanced at their leader, who laughed. "AND IF I WIN... " it bellowed, "I GET TO CHEW ON YOUR SCRAWNY BODY!" the others laughed and spread out.. this wouldn't last long!

OOC You are 4m away, initiative 6 Frosty, 5 Orcan. 1 frame then this things FOUR frames.

Agent Joe Hoskyn
CODENAME: FROSTBITE

Admin wrote:<<In hindsight this was not a great mission to take on.>> advised the computer.

It seemed to Joe the computer was developing a little bit of sas, since it had last spoken. He didn't remember asking for comments on the mission and telling him now seemed a bit smug.

But Joe had other things to take care off. Reassured by the presence of the Shadowy companion, he shouted as best he could in the depths.

"Wait!" said Frostbite. "I challenge YOU!" he bellowed, hoping his voice would carry in the water, whilst pointing at the huge Orcan in front of him. "And if I win, you take me to your leader, whom I will also challenge!"

Admin wrote:OOC You are 4m away, initiative 6 Frosty, 5 Orcan. 1 frame then this things FOUR frames.

Joe readied his aim, bringing a mental check to all his senses, he aimed, as he had intended before in the arena, for the creatures gills. An area he knew better know through prior experience.

OOC: Ok quick, blast maximum energy, which I believe is 6d6 (correct me if I am wrong) to the gill like area. roll to hit 1d20+3+6=24 Phew! And damage will be 4HTC/2HTK I figure that trying to stop him breathing doesn't need to be killing damage - as I am trying to block gills - but technically it might be better to roll the other way - mechanically within the rules of the game I'm not sure how this split should go so I'll let you rule and roll arbitration on this.

========
Joe had one chance and he knew his aim was true, but in the mad onrush of the Orcan, had he done enough to stop it. Joe readied himself knowing he had the fight of his life on now.

Sj

Agent Joe Hoskyn
CODENAME: FROSTBITE

Frostbite fired as true as he could. As he did, he heard an inner voice whisper... 'A slight application of power, localised...'

The water iced up between himself and the Orcan, and all about icy tendrils reached out into the depths! The explosion that struck the huge Orcan manifested as 10' long ice spikes jutting out from every angle of its shattered and torn body! As pieces of the Orcan floated away, Frostbite blinked, trying to decipher quite what had happened and looking at his hand in shock...

A spiked ball of ice, several metres across, was gently drifting into the depths. Still impaled on it, the Orcans innards! The rest of the dismembered remains floated free, and Frostbite swam back as the other Orcans pounced on it, showing no mercy or remorse for the loss of their leader! One turned, with a chunk of arm in its mouth. "YOU LEADER NOW!" he growled, between crunching bones and sucking on flesh. "WE FOLLOW!"

'A fine result.' said the inner voice. 'I managed to use the tiniest application of power, rather than turning this entire section of ocean into a continental ice shelf. You may thank me now, mortal.'

Frostbite wasn't much in the mood for thanking...

OOC That's because he's taken 3D6 htc and htk. 10htk, meaning he's taken 20htk now, and 12htc. 24htc taken in total. Exactly the same rolls as last time.. he's feeling rather the worse for wear right now. Still on full energy, though Frostbites body rather feels like it's being torn apart from the inside.

<<Warning! Life signs fluctuating! Blood pressure and heart rate at dangerous levels! Dropping steadily... WARNING!>> droned the computer.

OOC If Frostbite wants to take the Orcans with him, they view him as their new leader - for now. Next post will have our hero plunging to the depths of the ocean!

Agent Joe Hoskyn
CODENAME: FROSTBITE

Admin wrote:<<Warning! Life signs fluctuating! Blood pressure and heart rate at dangerous levels! Dropping steadily... WARNING!>>[/color] droned the computer.

Frostbite nodded to the Orcan's, "Lead the way." As he plunged on into the depths, wondering what depths he had sunk to in order to bring this conflict to an end.

OOC: Yeah let the Orcans lead me into the depths. Sorry got to make this short as spent so long on the Lionheart post. ;-).

Sj